Magnetic recording head with notched shield

ABSTRACT

A magnetic recording head includes a magnetic recording write element including a main pole having a leading edge and an opposing trailing edge and a first side surface and a second side surface separating the leading edge from the trailing edge. A first side shield gap separates a first side shield from the first side of the main pole and a second side shield gap separates the second side shield from the second side of the main pole. A front magnetic shield is separated from the main pole trailing edge by a front shield gap. A recess extends into the front shield adjacent to the trailing edge, and parallel to the trailing edge. The recess extends laterally away from the main pole and into the front shield a distance greater than the first side shield gap or second side shield gap.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No.12/710,456 filed Feb. 23, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporatedin its entirety by reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

With increased recording densities, the dimensions of the magneticrecording sensor are decreased to sense the magnetic flux of each bit onthe magnetic medium. A consequence of decreasing the size of themagnetic recording sensor is there is a significant drop in the on-trackfield which requires a low coercivity media to maintain acceptablewriting. As the size of the magnetic recording sensor is reduced,generally the fringe field is also reduced, however, the quantity WPE(write plus erase width)−TPW (top pole width) remains somewhat constantdue to lack of scaling of head to media spacing. WPE is defined by thecross-track width of the recorded pattern. Side shields help to reducethe fringe field and consequently WPE, however side shields also reduceon-track field. This reduction in on-track field requires the use ofeven smaller coercivity for the media that increases WPE. This reductionof on-track field offsets the reduction in WPE for side shield design,thereby limiting areal density improvement. What is desired is a sideshield design that reduces WPE while minimizing on-track field loss.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a magnetic recording head with notchedshields. The present disclosure can improve the areal densitycapabilities of a perpendicular magnetic writer.

In an embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a magneticrecording write element including a main pole. The main pole has aleading edge and an opposing trailing edge and a first side surface anda second side surface separating the leading edge from the trailingedge. A first side magnetic shield is positioned adjacent the first sidesurface and a second side magnetic shield positioned adjacent to thesecond side surface. A first side shield gap separates the first sideshield from the first side of the main pole. A second side shield gapseparates the second side shield from the second side of the main pole.A front magnetic shield is separated from the main pole trailing edge bya front shield gap. A recess extends into the front shield adjacent tothe trailing edge, and parallel to the trailing edge. The recess extendslaterally away from the main pole and into the front shield a distancegreater than the first side shield gap or second side shield gap.

These and various other features and advantages will be apparent from areading of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosurein connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram front view of an air bearing surface of aperpendicular magnetic recording head;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram front view of an air bearing surface ofanother perpendicular magnetic recording head;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram front view of an air bearing surface offurther perpendicular magnetic recording head; and

FIG. 4 is a graph of the WPE versus hmax for four perpendicular magneticrecording head designs

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used in thefigures refer to like components. However, it will be understood thatthe use of a number to refer to a component in a given figure is notintended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the samenumber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying setof drawings that form a part hereof and in which are shown by way ofillustration several specific embodiments. It is to be understood thatother embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. The followingdetailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.The definitions provided herein are to facilitate understanding ofcertain terms used frequently herein and are not meant to limit thescope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes,amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claimsare to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term“about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numericalparameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claimsare approximations that can vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing theteachings disclosed herein.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numberssubsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3,3.80, 4, and 5) and any range within that range.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” encompass embodiments having pluralreferents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used inthis specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generallyemployed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearlydictates otherwise.

It is noted that terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “above, “below”, etc.may be used in this disclosure. These terms should not be construed aslimiting the position or orientation of a structure, but should be usedas providing spatial relationship between the structures. Other layers,such as seed or capping layers, are not depicted for clarity but couldbe included as technical need arises.

The present disclosure relates to a perpendicular magnetic recordinghead with notched shields. The present disclosure can improve the arealdensity capabilities of a perpendicular magnetic writer. A recess ispresent in the perpendicular magnetic writer head. The recess extendsinto the front shield adjacent to a trailing edge of the main write poleand parallel to the trailing edge of the main write pole. The recessextends laterally away from the main pole and into the front shield adistance being greater than the first side shield gap or second sideshield gap. The recess minimizes magnetic field (amplitude and gradient)loss while maximizing recording density. This design provides largeron-track magnetic field while reducing the magnetic fringe fieldresulting in the ability to record at a higher areal density. While thepresent disclosure is not so limited, an appreciation of various aspectsof the disclosure will be gained through a discussion of the examplesprovided below.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram front view of an air bearing surface of aperpendicular magnetic recording head 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagramfront view of an air bearing surface of another perpendicular magneticrecording head 10. Media motion across the air bearing surface of aperpendicular magnetic recording head 10 is illustrated with a dashedarrow. The perpendicular magnetic recording head 10 includes aperpendicular magnetic recording write element including a main pole 11.The main pole 11 has a leading edge 12 and an opposing trailing edge 13and a first side surface 14 and a second side surface 15 separating theleading edge 12 from the trailing edge 13.

In many embodiments, the leading edge 12 and the opposing trailing edge13 are substantially parallel. In many embodiments, to suppress sidewriting, the trailing edge 13 is dimensionally larger then the leadingedge 12.

A front magnetic shield 20 is separated from the main pole 11 trailingedge 13 by a front shield gap 16. The front magnetic shield 20intercepts fringing flux generated by the main pole 11. The front shieldgap 16 can be filled with any non-magnetic material. The front shieldgap 16 can have any useful lateral distance separating the front shieldfrom the main pole 11. In some embodiments, the front shield gap 16 canbe from 20 to 100 nanometers or from 40 to 80 nanometers.

A first side magnetic shield 22 is positioned adjacent the first sidesurface 14 and a second side magnetic shield 24 is positioned adjacentto the second side surface 15. A first side shield gap 18 separates thefirst side shield 22 from the first side 14 of the main pole 11. Asecond side shield gap 19 separates the second side shield 24 from thesecond side 15 of the main pole 11. The side shields 22, 24 interceptfringing flux generated by the main pole 11 and prevent erasing orweakening of prior recorded information on adjacent tracks of the media.The side shield gaps 18, 19 can be filled with any non-magneticmaterial. The side shield gaps 18, 19 can have any useful lateraldistance separating the shield from the main pole 11. In someembodiments, the side shield gaps 18, 19 can be from 20 to 100nanometers or from 40 to 80 nanometers.

A recess or notch 30 extends into the front shield 20 adjacent to thetrailing edge 13 and parallel to the trailing edge 13. The recess 30extends laterally away from the main pole 11 and into the front shield20 a distance 17 greater than the first side shield gap 18 or secondside shield gap 19. The recess 30 can be filled with any non-magneticmaterial. The recess 30 can have any useful lateral distance extendingover the first and/or second side shield 22, 24. The recess 30 canextend laterally into the front shield 20 adjacent to the trailing edge13, and parallel to the trailing edge 13. The recess 30 can separate arecess portion 31 of the front shield 20 and a portion 23 of the firstside shield 22. The recess 30 can separate a second recess portion 33 ofthe front shield 20 and a portion 25 of the second side shield 24.

The recess 30 can expose a portion 23 of the first side shield 22 andseparates the recess portion 31 of the front shield 20 and a portion 23of the first side shield 22. The recess 30 can expose a portion 25 ofthe second side shield 24 and separates the recess portion 33 of thefront shield 20 and a portion 25 of the first side shield 22.

In some embodiments, the recess 30 extends over the first and/or secondside shield front shield 22, 24 a distance in a range from 0.25 to 2times the first or second side shield gap 18, 19. In some embodiments,the recess 30 extends over the first and/or second side shield frontshield 22, 24 a distance in a range from 5 to 100 nanometers. In someembodiments, the recess 30 extends over the first and/or second sideshield front shield 22, 24 a distance in a range from 20 to 200nanometers. In some embodiments, the recess 30 extends over the firstand/or second side shield front shield 22, 24 a distance in a range from20 to 150 nanometers.

Although the figures illustrate the recess 30 occurring on both sides ofthe main pole 11, it can occur on only one side in some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram front view of an air bearing surface ofanother perpendicular magnetic recording head 10 where the recess 30 isfilled with a weakly magnetic material 32, 34. In many embodiments therecess 30 is filled with a weakly magnetic material having a magneticsaturation flux density of 0.5 Tesla or less. The material 32 separatesa recess portion 31 of the front shield 20 and a portion 23 of the firstside shield 22. The material 34 separates a second recess portion 33 ofthe front shield 20 and a portion 25 of the second side shield 24.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram front view of an air bearing surface offurther perpendicular magnetic recording head 50. Media motion acrossthe air bearing surface of a perpendicular magnetic recording head 10 isillustrated with a dashed arrow. The perpendicular magnetic recordinghead 50 includes a notched recess 52, 54.

The perpendicular magnetic recording head 50 includes a perpendicularmagnetic recording write element including a main pole 11. The main pole11 has a leading edge 12 and an opposing trailing edge 13 and a firstside surface 14 and a second side surface 15 separating the leading edge12 from the trailing edge 13.

In many embodiments, the leading edge 12 and the opposing trailing edge13 are substantially parallel. In many embodiments, to suppress sidewriting, the trailing edge 13 is dimensionally larger then the leadingedge 12.

A front magnetic shield 20 is separated from the main pole 11 trailingedge 13 by a front shield gap 16. The front magnetic shield 20intercepts fringing flux generated by the main pole 11. The front shieldgap 16 can be filled with any non-magnetic material. The front shieldgap 16 can have any useful lateral distance separating the front shieldfrom the main pole 11. In some embodiments, the front shield gap 16 canbe from 20 to 100 nanometers or from 40 to 80 nanometers.

A first side magnetic shield 22 is positioned adjacent the first sidesurface 14 and a second side magnetic shield 24 is positioned adjacentto the second side surface 15. A first side shield gap 18 separates thefirst side shield 22 from the first side 14 of the main pole 11. Asecond side shield gap 19 separates the second side shield 24 from thesecond side 15 of the main pole 11. The side shields 22, 24 interceptfringing flux generated by the main pole 11 and prevent erasing orweakening of prior recorded information on adjacent tracks of the media.The side shield gaps 18, 19 can be filled with any non-magneticmaterial. The side shield gaps 18, 19 can have any useful lateraldistance separating the shield from the main pole 11. In someembodiments, the side shield gaps 18, 19 can be from 20 to 100nanometers or from 40 to 80 nanometers.

A notched recess 52, 54 extends into the front shield 20 adjacent to thetrailing edge 13 and both parallel to and perpendicular to the trailingedge 13. The notched recess 52, 54 extends laterally away from the mainpole 11 and into the front shield 20 a lateral distance 17 greater thanthe first side shield gap 18 or second side shield gap 19. The notchedrecess 52, 54 extends longitudinally away from the main pole 11 and intothe front shield 20 a longitudinal distance 21 greater than the frontshield gap 16.

The notched recess 52, 54 can be filled with any non-magnetic material.The notched recess 52, 54 can have any useful lateral distance extendingover the first and/or second side shield 22, 24. The notched recess 52can separate a recess portion 31 of the front shield 20 and a recessportion 23 of the first side shield 22. The notched recess 54 canseparate a second recess portion 33 of the front shield 20 and a recessportion 25 of the second side shield 24.

The notched recess 52, 54 can expose a portion 23 of the first sideshield 22 and separates the recess portion 31 of the front shield 20 anda recess portion 23 of the first side shield 22. The recess 30 canexpose a portion 25 of the second side shield 24 and separates therecess portion 33 of the front shield 20 and a portion 25 of the firstside shield 22.

In some embodiments, the notched recess 52, 54 extends over the firstand/or second side shield front shield 22, 24 a distance in a range from0.25 to 2 times the first or second side shield gap 18, 19. In someembodiments, the notched recess 52, 54 extends over the first and/orsecond side shield front shield 22, 24 a distance in a range from 5 to100 nanometers. In some embodiments, the notched recess 52, 54 extendsover the first and/or second side shield front shield 22, 24 a distancein a range from 20 to 200 nanometers. In some embodiments, the notchedrecess 52, 54 extends over the first and/or second side shield frontshield 22, 24 a distance in a range from 20 to 150 nanometers.

In some embodiments, the notched recess 52, 54 extends in a directionperpendicular to the trailing edge a distance 21 in a range from 0.25-2times the first or second side shield gap distance 18, 19. In someembodiments the notched recess 52, 54 extends in a directionperpendicular to the trailing edge a distance 21 in a range from 0.9-1.5times the lateral distance 17. In one embodiment, the notched recess 52,54 extends in a direction perpendicular to the trailing edge a distance21 equal to the lateral distance 17.

FIG. 4 is a graph of the WPE versus hmax for four perpendicular magneticrecording head designs. The first design SS is a perpendicular magneticrecording head that includes side shields with no recess into the frontshield. The second design SS+notch is a perpendicular magnetic recordinghead that includes side shields with a notch design into the frontshield vertically as shown with the distance arrow 21 of FIG. 3, butwithout the lateral recess shown with the distance arrow 17 of FIG. 3.The third design SS+LB is a perpendicular magnetic recording head thatincludes side shields with a letterbox recess design into the frontshield laterally as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The fourth designSS+LB+notch is a perpendicular magnetic recording head that includesside shields with a letterbox recess design and notch recess design intothe front shield laterally as shown in FIG. 3. This graph illustratesthe improved metrics over designs with just side shields or even designswith side shields and notch designs. The designs illustrated in FIG. 1and FIG. 2 (SS+LB) and FIG. 3 (SS+LB+notch) all exhibit improved hmax asthe WPE decreases. Thus, the claimed designs enable larger effectivehead fields for the WPE as compared to the SS and SS+notch designs.

Thus, embodiments of the MAGNETIC RECORDING HEAD WITH NOTCHED SHIELD aredisclosed. The implementations described above and other implementationsare within the scope of the following claims. One skilled in the artwill appreciate that the present disclosure can be practiced withembodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments arepresented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and thepresent invention is limited only by the claims that follow.

1. An apparatus comprising: a magnetic recording write element includinga main pole, the main pole having a leading edge and an opposingtrailing edge and a first side surface and a second side surfaceseparating the leading edge from the trailing edge; a first sidemagnetic shield positioned adjacent the first side surface and a secondside magnetic shield positioned adjacent to the second side surface; afirst side shield gap separates the first side shield from the firstside of the main pole; a second side shield gap separates the secondside shield from the second side of the main pole; a front magneticshield is separated from the main pole trailing edge by a front shieldgap; and an exposed side shield surface and a front shield portiondefines a recess extending into the front shield, the recess extendslaterally away from the main pole and into the front shield a distancegreater than the first side shield gap or second side shield gap and therecess extends away from the main pole in a direction perpendicular tothe lateral direction and into the front shield a distance greater thanthe front shield gap.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein therecess extends laterally away from the main pole, in a direction towardthe first side shield, a distance greater than the first side shieldgap.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a second recessextends laterally away from the main pole, in a direction toward thesecond side shield, a distance greater than the second side shield gap.4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recess is filled witha non-magnetic material.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe recess is filled with a weak magnetic material having a magneticsaturation flux density of 0.5 Tesla or less.
 6. An apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the recess extends over the first side shield adistance in a range from 0.25-2 times the first side shield gapdistance.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the secondrecess extends over the second side shield a distance in a range from0.25-2 times the second side shield gap distance.
 8. An apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the second recess extends away from themain pole in a direction perpendicular to the lateral direction and intothe front shield a distance greater than the front shield gap.
 9. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trailing edge has a lengthgreater than the leading edge.
 10. An apparatus comprising: a magneticrecording write element including a main pole, the main pole having aleading edge and an opposing trailing edge and a first side surface anda second side surface separating the leading edge from the trailingedge; a first side magnetic shield positioned adjacent the first sidesurface and a second side magnetic shield positioned adjacent to thesecond side surface; a first side shield gap separates the first sideshield from the first side of the main pole; a second side shield gapseparates the second side shield from the second side of the main pole;a front magnetic shield is separated from the main pole trailing edge bya front shield gap; and a notch extending in a lateral direction intothe front shield adjacent to the trailing edge, the notch extends awayfrom the main pole in a direction perpendicular to the lateral directionand into the front shield a distance greater than the front shield gap,the notch separates a recess portion of the front shield and a portionof the side shield.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein thenotch extends laterally away from the main pole, in a direction towardthe first side shield, a distance greater than the first side shieldgap.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a second notchextends laterally away from the main pole, in a direction toward thesecond side shield, a distance greater than the second side shield gap.13. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the notch is filled witha non-magnetic material.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 10, whereinthe notch is filled with a weak magnetic material having a magneticsaturation flux density of 0.5 Tesla or less.
 15. An apparatus accordingto claim 10, wherein the notch extends over the first side shield adistance in a range from 0.25-2 times the first side shield gapdistance.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a second notchextends over the second side shield a distance in a range from 0.25-2times the second side shield gap distance.
 17. An apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the second notch extends away from the main pole in adirection perpendicular to the lateral direction and into the frontshield a distance greater than the front shield gap.
 18. A magneticrecording head comprising: a perpendicular magnetic recording writeelement including a main pole, the main pole having a leading edge andan opposing trailing edge and a first side surface and a second sidesurface separating the leading edge from the trailing edge; a first sidemagnetic shield positioned adjacent the first side surface and a secondside magnetic shield positioned adjacent to the second side surface; afirst side shield gap separates the first side shield from the firstside of the main pole; a second side shield gap separates the secondside shield from the second side of the main pole; a front magneticshield is separated from the main pole trailing edge by a front shieldgap; and a recess extends into the front shield adjacent to the trailingedge, and parallel to the trailing edge, the recess extends laterallyaway from the main pole and into the front shield a distance greaterthan the first side shield gap or second side shield gap, the recessextends in a direction perpendicular to the trailing edge and into thefront shield a distance greater than the front shield gap.
 19. Aperpendicular magnetic recording head according to claim 18, wherein therecess extends in a direction perpendicular to the trailing edge adistance in a range from 0.25-2 times the first or second side shieldgap distance.
 20. A perpendicular magnetic recording head according toclaim 18, wherein the recess is filled with a non-magnetic material andthe non-magnetic material separates a portion of the first or secondside shield from the front shield.